March 1st, 1904

The largest congregation to date occurred today at the Methodist church in Strathroy. The ‘stirring’ pastor, Reverend R. Hobbs, gave a well circulated sermon on ‘the evils of the modern pleasure dance.’ This sermon is a printed version of what Hobbs had been preaching all over southern Ontario. He stated at the beginning of the sermon that he was going to read what he had written verbatim, to ensure that the press did not misinterpret any of what he says. Hobbs had on hand two thousand copies of his sermon, printed on pamphlets, which he intended to pass out to all the listeners. He stated in his preface on the pamphlet that he had considered changing a few sentences in the sermon, for he deemed them too strong for the listeners, but after receiving the highest commendations from a hundred of his closest friends, he chose not to change a single word. It was estimated that about fifteen hundred people crammed into the church from all over the area.

March 2nd, 1950

In the women’s section of the Age Dispatch, there is a warning about kissing. Strathroy residents are warned not to take their spring honeymoon in Japan, for they risk ‘social ostracism.’ The article speaks of how the Japanese never kiss each other, and have even banned kissing from their movies. It says the proper way for a Japanese husband to greet his wife is with a slow nod, and the most affection they may give is a pat on the back. The article goes on to say that the Japanese even back up their claim with science, their doctors claiming that most European diseases are spread by kissing, our mouths being the most susceptible parts of our bodies to infection. Apparently, they view our kissing as arising from a degraded group of Europeans seeking a new form of pleasure. The article concludes: “All of which may be true, but are we not admonished in the Good Book ‘to greet one another with an Holy kiss?’ What a lot we have to teach the Japs yet!”

March 3rd, 1981

After ten months of being missing, a mailbox is found in a gully off Second Line South. The first line in the Age article quips that “it seems letter carriers are getting longer and longer routes to carry mail.” The box, which should have stood at the corner of Drury lane and Saulsbury street was a bit too far away for the mail carrier to walk. It is said that the box was so heavy that it took three men to carry it back to where it was supposed to be. The box had been placed in a forested gully, standing upright and completely unharmed, past a barbed wire fence. Supervisor of Delivery, Norm Giffen, says that the box is worth about 250$, but is of no value whatsoever to anyone who isn’t part of the Federal Post Office. If the intrepid pranksters are ever caught, they would face up to six months in jail for the federal offense.

March 4th, 1897

On this day, Hiram Dell died. He was one of the first settlers of Strathroy, having been born in 1810 in Chippewa, Welland, and moving to the Strathroy area prior to 1840 with his three brothers. In 1840, he sold the 100 acres he owned for 100 dollars and moved into Strathroy, setting up the first store. His goods were cheaper than those found in the next closest store in Katesville, and thus was a success. Most of his customers were farmers who came to use John Buchanan’s mill, so he built a room with two beds and began to sell whiskey. Hiram was a prominent resident of Strathroy most of his life, being a tyler for the Masons and the town’s first librarian. He represented Adelaide Township on the County Council fice times and served as the Reeve for two years. Forty years after Hiram first came to Adelaide Township, he wrote ‘Roughing It’ which was published in the Age. This was an account of his experiences in the early days with only three brothers, an axe and five dollars.

March 5th, 1913

It was decided today to put down cement blocks on Front street to provide a sturdy sidewalk.The cement would cover the length of the road from Thomas to Maria streets. It was requested that the landowners along that stretch would pay fifty percent of the cost and the corporation would pay the other half. This motion was opposed by Deputy Reeve Oakes, who would prefer the corporation pay sixty percent, to take the edge off the taxpayers. Councilman Haldane one upped Oakes by suggesting the corporation pay seventy five percent. The mayor vetoed these proposals, saying that landowners should be more than happy to pay for half, since it would increase the land value by more than they would pay.

March 6th, 1897

In a bit of newspaper rivalry, the Age prints an editorial in response to the Dispatch’s claim that school inspector, Mr. Ross, earned 3500$ in 1877. They state that the Dispatch placed itself in the role of ‘prophet’ in attempting to belittle the reputation of Mr. Ross. The Age says it’s voice is the voice of the people, and the people believe that Mr. Ross earned every penny of the extremely large salary. The article is quite large, and is very poignant in demeaning the words of the Dispatch. They take jabs at the intelligence of their reporters, and the political motives of the paper. They go so far as to use words such as ‘malignant,’ ‘sinful’ and ‘heinous’ to describe the Dispatch editorial, and even included dropped names of prominent politicians in Toronto who can vouch for Mr. Ross’ good work and honour. All the same they do retain some modesty in stating that “the Dispatch may rest its soul in perfect peace over these items” for only “fools will venture where angels dare to tread.”

March 7th, 1911

Town Council reads a letter from Moosejaw, Sask. This week. It was sent by ‘His Worship, Harry C. Pope,’ informing the town of his resignation as Chief Magistrate, or Mayor, of the town. In his letter, he states more than once his regret at this decision, as he was hoping he would serve longer in Strathroy before moving west, but could not return. It was due to the pursuit of his profession that he was in the West, and why he decided to stay there. He writes that his time in Strathroy was very memorable, and the kindness shown by the citizens, friends and clients was unparalleled. He said that the worst part of his resignation was that it meant he would no longer be a citizen of Strathroy.

March 8th, 1929

Inspector J.W. Poynton conducted a fire hazard inspection of Strathroy businesses today. He is the Fire Marshall in Toronto, and has deputed Chief Walker of the Strathroy fire department to carry out his decisions. In almost all of the sixty five inspections he conducted, he found areas that needed to be improved. One in particular was the Queen’s Hotel barn, though a brick structure, had a dilapidated frame structure attached to it which constituted a risk. In addressing the town council, he proposed that all junk piles be removed from behind all businesses, and those areas become well lit. The factories, however, quite impressed him with their safety precautions. He stated that he would return in a month, and anyone who does not follow his orders would be fined 20$ to 100$. As a result, Strathroy banned dirty backyards.

March 9th, 1944

A strange message was received today by the Town Council. It arrived on a postcard and was addressed to ‘The Town Hall, Strathroy, Canada.’ This is what was printed:

”Issued by the authority of the Heavenly Father in the cause of Salvation. The good news, the Lord Jesus Christ is coming to end the tribulation and to take up His kingdom on July 17th, 1944. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Campaign for a true Christian brotherhood. 95 Queen St., Auckland, New Zealand.”

The card was read by Cecil Denniss, the Town Clerk, and when no one commented, one member of the council decided it be deferred to the Special Occasions Committee. A similar message was received by the Librarian, Miss Margaret Macintyre.

March 10th, 1978

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority approved the expenditure of ten thousand dollars today to conduct a number of projects at the Strathroy Conservation Area. The province chose to take on over half the amount given, leaving the town to pay only four thousand and twenty five dollars. What is being improved specifically is the expansion of the fitness trail and the construction of a boardwalk through the marsh. It was said that parkours along the fitness trail was very popular the year before, and it was not uncommon for fitness classes at SDCI to take a trip over to the Conservation Area to get in shape while out in nature. The construction of the march trail along the boardwalk was geared towards students as well, designed to be as much a nature trail as a means of traversing the swamp.

March 11th, 1981

A bomb threat was called into Southdale Public School today. The janitor received the call and notified the fire department at 10:29 am. Two Sunday school classes were dismissed and the fire department searched the building. After an hour, they deemed the building safe and the search was called off.

March 12th, 1959

Linda Paget is confirmed the grand champion of spelling at the Strathroy Public School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Paget, who live on Front Street. The IODE, Rebekah Lodge and the Home and School organizations each contributed twenty five dollars to her prize. The entire boy’s prize was contributed by the Kiwanis Club.

March 13th, 1931

Two prominent citizens of Strathroy died earlier this week. They were Thomas B. Statham, a machinist, and his wife Agnes Jane (Blair) Statham. Agnes had been struck by a stroke several weeks earlier, and her illness was quoted as the leading cause in both hers and her husband’s deaths. A double funeral was held for them. Thomas was the son of Titus Statham who came to Strathroy fifty years earlier with his brother, Silas, from Dundas. They opened a machine and repair shop on Front street, which has been succeeded by their sons and still bears the same name.

March 14th, 1968

The front page of the Age Dispatch has a few interesting short articles today. The first is a report from the police department that a couple of thieves were surprised while trying to open the SDCI cafeteria cash register. While the cops were investigating, the hiding boys bolted, making away with only a bag of cashews and a chocolate bar. It was also realized this week that the newly installed traffic lights installed at the Front and Frank street intersection were causing some confusion for motorists. While the concept of the lights were well understood, the town had forgotton to remove the old stop sign on the corner. Mayor Larry Condon has written a letter to the Work Department superintendent to have the sign removed. Also, this week marks the end of bread delivery in Strathroy. With the closing of Jackson’s Bakery, there will be a void in the business of home deliveries of bread and bread products. No other business is stepping in to take over the responsibility. Mr. Welch, the franchised dealer for Canada Bread, says large families have freezers and transportation to stores and thus loaf deliveries are not sustainable for a company anymore.

March 15th, 1949

The school board of Strathroy Collegiate Institute receives permission to begin expansion in the school, due to increased attendance. Requests had been denied in previous years, despite the steady rise in the student population causing crowding in the classrooms. The permissions given on this day were for new classrooms and a gymnasium. This was the beginning of a long series of architectural enchancements to the school, which include even more classrooms and a cafeteria six years later. By 1959, even more additions had been made, including five new classrooms, two laboratories and an enlarged cafeteria.

March 16th, 1906

Mr. George Cavanagh was put in jail today for ten days. A resident of Strathroy, he was caught redhanded trespassing on the property of the Grand Trunk Railway. It was said that he attempted to ride a train without first purchasing a ticket. Police Magistrate Noble thought the charge was serious enough that George should provide five dollars plus costs to the Grand Trunk. All told, the amount he was to pay was twelve dollars and fifty cents. George stated it was impossible to give this amount of money and was sent to London to spend time behind bars.

March 17th, 1880

The Western Dispatch reports that the ‘National Policy’ is not working like its enemies predicted. The article, entitled ‘The Hum,’ states that the hum of the National Policy is increasing in Strathroy. It goes on to say that the Knitting Factory has seventy to eighty hands working overtime until ten thirty every night, excepting Sundays of course. The Bending Factory has all hands working overtime, and even the tannery has reopened from its rotting state that the Mackenzie regime left it in.

March 18th, 1879

A new law office opened today in Strathroy. Mr. Thomas A. Keefer has taken over the offices until recently held by Mr. Cleverdon, across the road from Moore’s Hotel. Keefer has been a lifetime resident of Strathroy, and is said to be well and favourably known to most of the Age’s readers. Keefer has devoted all his energies to studying law and has had seven years practical experience working with D. B. Read, Esq., in Toronto.

March 19th, 1942

The Strathroy Chamber of Commerce is formed. It occurred at a meeting held in the Town Hall where almost every business in Strathroy was represented. The following people were elected: President, R. M. Grieve; Vice-President, C. L. Evoy; Secretary, Wilbur Sadlier; Treasurer, R. A. Fowlie; Executive Committee: H.E. Statham, G. S. Newton, Lawson Milliken, and E. T. Lewis.

March 20, 1868

The first serious fire in Strathroy occurred today. The entire frame block on Frank Street went up in smoke. Some of the victims were a hotel owned by McKellar and Strathy, A. Meekinson Fruit Store, D. Dwyer Boot and Shoe Store, F. Hilton Boot and Shoe Store, Patrick Dwyer Grocery, James Wright Boots and Shoes. Total approximate loss was thirty thousand dollars.

March 21st, 1963

The Caradoc Township School Area board received a letter today from the Caradoc Ekfrid Telephone Company. This letter ensured that schools would be notified first if there was a nuclear attack. In this case, the school’s nuclear emergency plans would send all the students home from school early. During times of heightened alarm, all bus drivers would be on call between 9 am and 3:30 pm, and would have special bus route plans to take each student directly to their home or another designated location. As a follow-up to this announcement, the board stated that they have approved of a twenty five thousand dollar loan from the Royal Bank, and they have given consent for a grade eight trip.

March 22nd, 1934

On this night, the residents of Strathroy were taken on a trip halfway around the world. Walter L. Payne presented a ‘musical travelogue’ at 8 pm at St. John’s Parish. Through colourful slides and ‘a very-much-alive set of motion pictures,’ Payne conducted a comprehensive tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, which featured many of the special events he witnessed while there. These events included the Football Cup Tie at Wembley, the Dublin Horse Show, and the Henly Regatta. It also included a new reel of the ocean trip aboard the Canadian Pacific “Duchess” Liner. Entitled ‘The Call of the Old Country,’ the travelogue was accompanied by ‘artistic musical illustrations played by Harold Eustace Key.’

March 23rd, 1972

Today the Strathroy Council decided to install sewers in the South end of town. This area covers Adelaide, Caradoc, Beattie, McKellar and Ontario streets. The plan to do this has been bouncing around council for the last fourteen years, and the estimated cost in 1969 was three hundred and five thousand dollars. The council believes they can reduce this cost dramatically by not digging the sewers as deep and by completing the project all at once, and thus only have one contract. To aid the town in paying for this service, all houses that are affected by the sewers will pay a certain amount according to how much property they own. This means an added cost on their municipal taxes over the course of twenty years. All other members of town will pay as well, but significantly less.